Thomas Tuchel’s go-to ways works once more as Jude Bellingham conjures up England to semi-final

England have reached the World Cup semi-final after Jude Bellingham inspired the Three Lions to another tough performance and win over Norway

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Jude Bellingham has carried England into the World Cup semi-final by bagging a brace in the 2-1 win over Norway.

England had to do it the hard way again after Andreas Schjelderup put Norway in front in bizarre circumstances when his mis-hit cross caught out Jordan Pickford and crashed into the top corner off the post. But Bellingham was England’s man for the big moment as he equalised in added time at the end of the first-half; however, that wasn’t without controversy as the ball appeared to hit the wires of Spider Cam in the build-up.

It took extra-time for Bellingham to pounce again when he followed in Morgan Rogers’ parried effort to knock the ball into an open goal. His second goal of the night marked Bellingham’s sixth goal in as many matches at the World Cup as he continues to write his own legacy.

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Tuchel was forced into yet another change at right-back due to Jarell Quansah’s suspension after his red card against Mexico, but instead of bringing Djed Spence back into the side, Ezri Konsa switched to the right side of defence, seeing Manchester City duo Marc Guehi and John Stones partner against their club team-mate Erling Haaland, albeit Stones is now a free agent.

Despite Guehi’s arrival in Manchester in the winter window, the former Crystal Palace man and Stones never played next to each other until the World Cup. But both, as well as left-back Nico O’Reilly, have played against Haaland every day in training.

By the first-half hydration break, Haaland had just four touches as England dominated the ball, although without overly threatening the goal as neither team got a shot off.

But the break was at the perfect time for Norway with the Three Lions on top and looking leggy. Possibly due to the illness problems the Scandinavians suffered in the build-up which would have been exacerbated by the intense Miami heat.

The first shot of the game did come minutes later when Harry Kane smashed a free-kick from 20 yards over the bar and into orbit. A chance that came around through more tired and lacklustre Norwegian play.

However, the hydration break, as it has done in this tournament, turned the game on its head as Norway took the lead through a huge stroke of luck.

The Scandinavians made their own luck when Patrick Berg pinched the ball off Kane near the halfway line and fed Andreas Schjelderup, whose cross into the back post ended up cannoning off the back stick and into the top corner.

Kane remained on the floor following the contact but Berg appeared to win the ball cleanly. VAR agreed with that verdict and referee Clement Turpin’s decision and no on-field review was recommended despite the protests from the England players.

England had to weather a storm with Alexander Sorloth wasting two good openings on the counter-attack, but the Three Lions rallied to equalise before half-time through more magic from Bellingham.

The Real Madrid star smashed in a vital finish in the second minute of added time to send the game into half-time level and back in the balance.

Bellingham’s goal sent England into the break at half-time where Tuchel was again made to shuffle the pack when Declan Rice was taken off at the break.

The Arsenal midfielder has been struggling with a knock all tournament with Thomas Tuchel monitoring his fitness and minutes throughout their time in North America so far. Rice was also reportedly ill during the week.

Rice looked well off his best level during the first half and the Miami heat could have taken its toll as Tuchel made an attacking change, moving to replace him with Arsenal team-mate Eberechi Eze, seeing Bellingham drop into a deeper role.

But that attacking change almost backfired when Norway had the ball in the net for a second time just 10 minutes into the second-half. However, the goal was disallowed for a push on Elliot Anderson by Erling Haaland, with the corner retaken under the new laws because the ball had not entered play.

England continued to live dangerously as Brentford’s Kristoffer Ajer turned a scuffed shot onto the England crossbar before the ball was scrambled away from Pickford’s goal.

Tuchel had to backtrack on his earlier subs as Reece James returned from injury to replace Anthony Gordon. That change meant Eze moved to the left with Bellingham back in behind Kane and James alongside Anderson in central midfield – despite Kobbie Mainoo yet again remaining on the bench.

Yet Tuchel again flip-flopped with Ezri Konsa being replaced by Morgan Rogers, this time round in the Hokey Cokey, James went to right-back with Rogers coming on in an unfamiliar deeper midfield role.

The two sides were unable to be separated in 90 minutes and half-time was needed in the raging heat but it only took two minutes for Bellingham to lift the roof again as he pounced on Nyland’s spill from Rogers’ effort from distance.

England could have had the chance to put the game out of sight when Djed Spence was bundled over in the box, but referee Turpin overturned his decision of penalty after a review, saying the Tottenham man initiated the contact. A decision which certainly did not seem to fall within the realms of a clear and obvious mistake.

That would have been England’s opportunity from the spot to kill the game, but that chance was taken away and Tuchel moved to protect the lead rather than bury the game by bringing off the worn-out Bellingham for Dan Burn, returning again to a back five and securing the tie again.

The Three Lions will face the winner of Argentina vs Switzerland, who meet in an hour’s time. The other semi-final will be contested by Spain and France.